Copán Archive and Database Project

Background

The ancient site of Copán, Honduras has been the focus of intensive archaeological investigations for over a century. These investigations together with epigraphic, iconographic and architectural studies have illuminated many areas of Maya studies, and continue to provide a wide array of comparative data for researchers in the field. Since 1977 all foreign research projects have left their original documents (including photographs) in Honduras in accord with the country’s policy and added new articles and books to the library. This had resulted in a burgeoning archive of material needing to be entered into a searchable database in order for it to remain useful and accessible to scholars. File drawers and library shelves were full of excavation documentation that lacked a systematic means of organization or inventory, making it difficult for anyone to access material relevant to their research. Although artifacts were systematically ordered under William Fash’s direction in 1994, they needed reference to other vital photo and paper archive data containing detailed reports, field notes, maps, drawings, and conservation histories. As it was, much of the information about the archival collections rested with a few key Honduran personnel (Reyna Flores) and foreign investigators, like myself who have been part of on-going research in Copán (in my case, since 1977). It was essential to prepare a database for this knowledge to become a part of the permanent register. In addition to carrying out these tasks, this project aimed to underscore the importance of collection management and conservation at Mesoamerican archaeological sites with investigation histories of great time depth and significance.

Previous Page  |  Table of Contents  |  Next Page

Return to top of page